Bikers sentenced in Orange beatings

GREENFIELD — Two Longriders Motorcycle Club members will be going to jail for beating up two brothers outside of an Orange bar last year.

According to court documents, three bikers were starting trouble in Mike’s Place on Dec. 29, 2011. An argument that started in the bar spilled out into the street, and resulted in the beatings of Brian Sykes and his brother, W. Kyle Sykes.

Jake P. O’Connor, 24, of Granby, was sentenced to two to five years in Cedar Junction state prison in Walpole. O’Connor was found guilty of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury, aggravated assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury, and threatening to commit assault and battery.

William M. Flood, 49, of Springfield, was sentenced to 2 1∕ 2 years in the Franklin County House of Corrections, after being found guilty on charges of aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury, aggravated assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury, assault and battery, and two counts of intimidating a witness.

Both men also received three years of probation, which will start when they are released. Both have been ordered to stay clean and sober and submit to random drug and alcohol tests, have no contact with and stay 100 yards away from the victims and their families, and to have no affiliation with any motorcycle club.

A third defendant, Scott R. Stevens, 36, of Athol, was also implicated, though he has decided to cooperate with the state, providing evidence for the prosecution. He is due back in court Monday for a hearing.

According to Stevens’ statement, O’Connor attacked Brian Sykes, while Flood held Kyle Sykes back, keeping him from coming to his brother’s aid.

Court documents stated that the bikers had been hostile and belligerent toward several Mike’s Place patrons before the fight started.

Those documents also state that Brian Sykes was being treated for his injuries by EMTs, while his brother identified the bikers as they were attempting to leave in a vehicle.

Both Flood and O’Connor maintained their innocence throughout the trial.

The dangerous weapons referred to are heavy steel-toed boots worn by the bikers during the attack. Their boots, along with the leather vests displaying their Longriders patches and other garments worn on the night of the attack, were submitted as physical evidence linking the bikers to the club.

David Rainville can be reached at: drainville@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 279